DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: Isaiah 7:15-16; Hebrews 5:11-14	PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you have the maturity to discern good and evil.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Ezekiel 44:15-24 PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for His word and those who have helped you learn the difference in good and evil.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: 2 Samuel 14:12-17 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you keep your moral compass working properly.

THURSDAY - VERSES: John 8:9; Acts 24:16; 1Timothy 1:5 PRAYER THOUGHT: Pray that study of God's word will help you keep you conscience trained to recognize good and evil.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Acts 23:1; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 4:1-3; Titus 1:15-16 PRAYER THOUGHT: Pray for those who have been corrupted and have become confused about good and evil.

SATURDAY - VERSES: 1 Kings 3:7-11; James 1:5-8 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God for the wisdom you need in life that he has promised to give.

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In reading the Scriptures I find a great moral power. Therein am I made aware of two great forces for good in human experience: the "fear" of God and the "grace" of God. Without the fear of God I should not stop at doing evil; the fear of God restrains from evil. Without the grace of God I should have no desire to approach positive goodness. The one is a deterrent from evil; the other an encouragement to good. -Jim Elliot in "The Journals of Jim Elliot". Christianity Today-Vol. 31, #4.

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ASSIGNMENTS

1. Daily read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it each day.

3. Think of times you have been confused about good and evil.

4. Write down the ways you have recognized attempts to call evil good or good evil.

5. Tell the class how you have seen and recognized such attempts, or tell how you have struggled with calling good evil or evil good.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 43

RIGHT FROM WRONG - 5-19-13 to 5-25-13

SCRIPTURE - Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

COMMENT – Our society is slowly but surely trying to convince people that good is evil and evil is good. (Consider the increase in acceptance of homosexual marriage, unwed pregnancy, etc.). We must be clear in our standing on what is good and what is evil.

SONG – ONCE TO EVERY MAN AND NATION

1. Once to ev'ry man and nation Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side; Some great cause, come great decision, Offering each the bloom or blight, And the choice goes by forever 'Twixt that darkness and that light.

2. Then to side with truth is noble, When we share her wretched crust,

Ere her cause bring fame and profit, And 'tis prosperous to be just; Then it is the brave man chooses While the coward stand aside, Till the multitude make virtue Of the faith they had denied.

3. By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,

Toiling up new Calv'ries ever With the cross that turns not back; New occasions teach new duties, Ancient values test our youth; They must upward still and onward, Who would keep a breast of truth.

4. Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet the truth alone is strong; Though her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong: Yet that scaffold sways the future, And, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above His own.

THOUGHTS

Most of the evil in this world does not come from evil people. It comes from people who consider themselves good. -Reinhold Neibuhr. Christianity Today-Vol. 30, #5.

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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and good women!] to do nothing." From Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents, by Edmund Burke, April 23, 1770

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"A man that does not know how to be angry does not know how to be good. A man that does not know how to be shaken to his heart's core with indignation over things evil is either a fungus or a wicked man" (H. W. Beecher).

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Hate is born when men call evil good. And like an infant serpent bursting from its small, confining shell, it never can be cased so small again. Calvin Miller, Leadership-Vol. 11, #2

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Once upon a time, in a far away country, there lived a little girl called Red Riding Hood. One day her mother asked her to take a basket of fruit to her grandmother, who had been ill and lived alone in a cottage in the forest.

It happened that a wolf was lurking in the bushes and overheard the conversation. He decided to take a short-cut to the grandmother's house and get the goodies for himself. The wolf killed the grandmother, then dressed in her nightgown and jumped into bed to await the little girl.

When she arrived, he made several nasty suggestions and then tried to grab her. But by this time, the child was very frightened and ran screaming from the cottage.

A woodcutter, working nearby, heard her cries and rushed to the rescue. He killed the wolf with his ax, thereby saving Red Riding Hood's life. All the townspeople hurried to the scene and proclaimed the woodcutter a hero.

But at the inquest, several facts emerged:

* The wolf had never been advised of his rights.

* The woodcutter had made no warning swings before striking the fatal blow.

* The Civil Liberties Union stressed the point that, although the act of eating Grandma may have been in bad taste, the wolf was only "doing his thing" and thus didn't deserve the death penalty.

* The SDS contended that the killing of the grandmother should be considered self-defense since she was over 30 and, therefore, couldn't be taken seriously because the wolf was trying to make love, not war.

On the basis of these considerations, it was decided there was no valid basis for charges against the wolf. Moreover, the woodcutter was indicted for unaggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Several nights later, the woodcutter's cottage was burned to the ground.

One year from the date of "The Incident at Grandma's," her cottage was made a shrine for the wolf who had bled and died there. All the village officials spoke at the dedication, but it was Red Riding Hood who gave the most touching tribute.

She said that, while she had been selfishly grateful for the woodcutter's intervention, she realized in retrospect that he had over-reacted. As she knelt and placed a wreath in honor of the brave wolf, there wasn't a dry eye in the whole forest.

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"In Germany they first came for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up." - Martin Neimoller

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CALLING GOOD EVIL AND EVIL GOOD

INTRODUCTION - ISAIAH 5:20-22; DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20; PSALM 37:27; PROVERBS 11:27; ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14; 1 CORINTHIANS 14:7-8

I. PURITY OF LIFE IS MADE TO LOOK BAD (EVIL) TODAY -

2 CORINTHIANS 7:1

II. MORAL JUDGMENTS ARE MADE TO LOOK BAD (EVIL) TODAY – MATTHEW 7:1-5; JOHN 7:24

III. HOMOSEXUALS ARE TRYING TO MAKE HETEROSEXUALS THE BAD (EVIL) GUY - 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11; 1 TIMOTHY 1:8-10; ROMANS 1:18-32

IV. RELIGION AND THE BIBLE ARE MADE TO LOOK BAD (EVIL) - 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

CALLING GOOD EVIL AND EVIL GOOD

SCRIPTURE - (Isa 5:20-22) Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! {21} Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! {22} Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,

INTRODUCTION

A. GOOD AND EVIL, LIFE AND DEATH ARE SET BEFORE US - (Deu 30:15-20) "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, {16} "in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. {17} "But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, {18} "I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. {19} "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; {20} "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

B. DEPART FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD - (Psa 37:27) Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.

C. DOING GOOD BRINGS GOD'S FAVOR, DOING EVIL BRINGS TROUBLE - (Prov 11:27) He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

D. GOD WILL JUDGE US ON WHETHER WE DO GOOD OR EVIL - (Eccl 12:13-14) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. {14} For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

E. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR SOUNDS ARE CERTAIN AND UNDERSTOOD ABOUT WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS EVIL! - (1 Cor 14:7-8) Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? {8} For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

I. PURITY OF LIFE IS MADE TO LOOK BAD (EVIL) TODAY

A. "GOODY TWO SHOES"

B. "TEETOTALER"

C. "VIRGINITY"

D. "FIDELITY IN MARRIAGE" – REFERRING TO CLINTON'S ADULTEROUS RELATIONSHIP WITH MONICA LEWINSKY ONE TALK SHOW HOST SAID: "ALL MEN DO THAT"

E. (2 Cor 7:1) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

II. MORAL JUDGEMENTS ARE MADE TO LOOK BAD (EVIL) TODAY

A. "YOU CAN'T LEGISLATE MORALITY"

B. MISUSE OF "LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE"

1. JESUS WAS USING IT LITERALLY

2. WE USE IT FIGURATIVELY

C. IN THE CHURCH WE ARE TO MAKE MORAL JUDGEMENTS

1. WE ARE TO REMOVE THE SPECK FROM OUR BROTHER'S EYE – (Mat 7:1-5) "Judge not, that you be not judged. {2} "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. {3} "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? {4} "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? {5} "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

2. (John 7:24) "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

D. TOLERANCE IS A KEYWORD TODAY WITH LIBERALS

1. WE SHOULD EXERCISE TOLERANCE WITH EVERYONE WHO HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW THAN OURS.

2. THEY ARE VERY INTOLERANT OF CHRISTIAN OR CONSERVATIVE VIEWS

III. HOMOSEXUALS ARE TRYING TO MAKE HETEROSEXUALS THE BAD (EVIL) GUY

A. "HOMOPHOBIA"

1. THEY SAY BECAUSE WE TEACH THE SINFULNESS OF THEIR LIFESTYLE THAT WE ARE AFRAID OF THEM AND THAT IF WE "UNDERSTOOD THEM" WE WOULD NOT FEAR THEM.

2. THE ONLY FEAR I HAVE OF HOMOSEXUALITY IS THAT AS IT SPREADS IT RESULTS IN SPIRITUAL DEATH

B. "99% OF HOMOSEXUALS COME FROM HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS"

C. THE BIBLE VERY CLEARLY TEACHES THAT HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICE IS WRONG

1. (1 Cor 6:9-11) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, {10} nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

2. (1 Tim 1:8-10) But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, {9} knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, {10} for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

3. (Rom 1:18-32) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, {19} because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. {20} For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, {21} because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. {22} Professing to be wise, they became fools, {23} and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. {24} Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, {25} who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. {26} For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. {27} Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. {28} And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; {29} being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, {30} backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {31} undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; {32} who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

IV. RELIGION AND THE BIBLE ARE MADE TO LOOK BAD (EVIL)

A. "RELIGION IS JUST A CRUTCH FOR WEAK PEOPLE"

B. "THAT'S JUST YOUR OPINION"

C. "THE BIBLE WAS JUST WRITTEN BY MEN, IT'S NOT GOD'S WORD"

D. (2 Tim 3:16-17) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

CONCLUSION - "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and good women!] to do nothing." From Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents, by Edmund Burke, April 23, 1770

BRETHREN, LET'S MAKE SURE WE CALL GOOD, GOOD AND EVIL, EVIL

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!